Dispatches From the High Point Market

Fifteen showroom visits and one rug auction later, I couldn’t shake the feeling that my home décor could use some refreshing. A trip to the High Point Market, in the North Carolina town of the same name, will all but guarantee an urge to mix things up at home. When I traveled there last fall with a group of showroom directors and merchandise specialists from KDR Designer Showrooms, we tested sofas for depth and chairs for pitch and visited one showroom after another in search of the latest in comfort and style. Along the way, I noticed the emergence of a few trends—some subtle, others more obvious—that are soon to make their way into your home.

1. Small-Scale Upholstery

As cities across the country experience a renaissance and baby boomers continue to downsize, furniture manufacturers are responding with smaller-scale upholstery lines that are suitable for lofts, apartments, and walk-ups. “There is an older generation who still considers themselves young,” says Tonja Morrison, director of marketing for Hancock & Moore. “As they move their children out of the house, we find that they are downsizing and moving closer to the city, where they can enjoy amenities and not have to worry about the maintenance of larger homes and yards.”

Texture was all the buzz. In the luxury furniture category, in particular, where white-on-white and simple, neutral color schemes continue to prevail, manufacturers are calling on an assortment of textures to create pieces with dimensionality that pique interest. Leather stood out for the many ways in which it’s being worked: tufting in unexpected places, quilted and perforated touches, vertical and horizontal channeling, and gold accents to give pieces a glamorous update. Performance fabrics are also finding their way into home design. “Consumers are used to wearing athletic apparel,” says Randy Rubin, co-founder of Crypton, maker of stain-resistant fabrics, “so of course they’re going to expect performance from their upholstery, bedding, and drapery.”

Shapely silhouettes, seen at many of the collections, lend a soft and sensual shape story to home décor. Think sloped track arms, rounded backrests, and cozy bench seating. “Curved lines in sofas and chairs are a great way to float furniture in a space,” says Lisa Davis, visual presentation and merchandising specialist at KDR. “They also help to anchor a room.”

Introducing earthy elements, such as natural stone, fine-wood veneers, and rattan detailing inside the house continue to be popular, creating environments that are both warm and elegant. Consider the popularity of craft fairs, aged and weathered textures, and the pervasiveness of handmade and sustainable furnishings as an indication that the look is here to stay. The boho-chic aesthetic, as inspired by the “global hippie,” is emblematic of this movement.

Geometric shapes, similar to those seen in cutout designs prevalent in fashion design, are just as ubiquitous in the world of interiors. Square, rectangle, and triangle motifs lend shape while adding a striking, unexpected twist to everything from tables and lamp bases to chairs and bookcases. Like its fashion counterpart, what was once a trend is likely to become classic, reimagined throughout the years.